La Masia defender Neo Lebopa attributes his progress to his former coach, Tshepo Sebopetsa.
By: Refilwe Sebola
National First Division side La Masia FC defender, Neo Lebopa has attributed his progress in football to his former coach at Academy Tshepo Sebopetsa.
The 23 year-old former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates developments player says he is where he is today because of the training and the guidance of his former coach.
“I want to thank coach Tshepo for preparing and giving me an opportunity to play football at a high level. Like most of the young football players in villages, I grew up playing football in the dusty streets with hope that one day I will play professional football but I didn’t know how. It was after I met coach Tshepo in Kgapane Township that my dream of playing professional football was realized” he said
Neo joined Tshepo Soccer Academy at age thirteen from Mamokgadi village in Bolobedu after he had temporarily relocated to Kgapane Township.
He says it was at the academy where he was made to see the actual world of football.
“Coach Tshepo made me see the road to professional football with his brilliant soccer academic structure. He literally took us out of the village and placed us closer to our dreams. I don’t think I would be where I am today if it was not for coach Tshepo” added Neo.
The tall central defender who was captain of the University of Johannesburg team that finished second in Varsity Cup last year, describe his former coach as a father figure.
“Soccer is a frustrating sport but coach Tshepo is always there to encourage us. He is like a father to us. He spends his own money to come to Johannesburg just to make follow ups on our progress and he always gives his honest opinion of our performance after watching our games” concluded Neo.
Neo joined Kaizer Chiefs development at age fifteen from Tshepo Academy and from 2014 to 2018 he played for their Multichoice Diski Challenge team under current head coach Arthur Zwane.
In 2021 he left Chiefs because of the academic university program that was not harmonious with that of the club. He then joined the University of Johannesburg team that was playing in the ABC Motsepe league and was offered free scholarship and free accommodation.
In 2021 Neo was signed by Orlando Pirates reserve side Pelepele whom he captained in the ABC Motsepe league. He later joined his current team La Masia who did not hesitate to recruit him to the NFD after they gained promotion from ABC Motsepe league last season.
The Construction Project Management degree holder admitted that football is unpredictable and that one must always have education as backup. He is currently doing honours and is set to register for masters next year.